Improvement in grinding-mills



2 Sheets-Shet 1. v

J. M. CLARK.

GRINDING MILL.

No. 37,151. Patented Dec. 16, 1862.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. M. CLARK.

GRINDING MILL.

No. 37,151. Patented Dec. 16, 1862.

71' f a J 1 J ,I' I y E: Z I

z .1 r 0; V// 4 77 7 f I ET I 1% n 0 47: 3 J47- Q Be it known that I,JAMES M.

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

JAMES M. CLARK, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRINDING-MILLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,151, dated December16, 1862.

To all whom it may concern:

CLARK, of

Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm and IndicatingApparatus for Grinding-Mills; and

I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact descriptionthereof, reference being l d to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of my specification, and to the letters of reference markedthereon, like letters in the several figures indicating the same oranalogous parts, and in which drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective viewof my alarm and indicating apparatus; Fig.2, a crosssection ofvthe same;Fig. 3, a like section,

, clearly showing the means of attaching and adjusting my invention tothe hoop, which incloses the runner stonefl Fig. 4, a view showing analternative mode of applying a spring to the bell-arm or lever, somewhatsimplifying the mode of applying a spring to said arm, as represented inFigs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 5 an enlarged view of certain parts contained inFigs.'1, 2, and 8.

My invention consists in providing a grinding-mill with a simple andefi'ective apparatus, which, in a locality distant 'from the millstones,shall indicate the run of the stones and condition of the feed, togetherwith an alarm which within hearing distance shall indicate a variationin the speed of the runner and condition of the grinding from thatdesiredoby the attending miller.

It also consists in providing the means whereby a'variation in the speedof the runner and the flow of the feed may be properly regulated upon analarm or indication being given to the miller that the grinding of thegrain is not being properly done.

It also consists in applying to a mill which is adapted to the grindingof grain by means or use of a silent feed a device or devices wherebythe millstones may be made to grind either coarse or fine without at thesame time affecting the flow of the grain from the hopper into the eyeof the stones.

In the drawings, A indicates the foundation or Hurst frame for thesupport of the runnerstone b and bed-stone c, a hoop, cl, being made toinclose the runner in the usual manner, and the runner being immediatelysupported by the rynd c, as shown, pivoted and made to revolve upon thelighter-shaft f, stepped as at g in the cross-tree h.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings,i indicates the projecting end of thelighter-lever, which, midway of its length, is made to support thecrosstree h, the rear ends of the lighter-lever and cross-tree beingpivoted to the'Hurst frame in the usual way. As represented in Fig. 1,the forward or projecting end 'iof the lighter-lever connects with alighter-staff, j, by means of an iron rod, k, said lighter-staff beingpivoted to the main frame A, as at I, and having its forward endconnected with the screw-shaft m of a hand-wheel, B, by means of aleather or flexible strap or chain, n. This chain or flexible strap amay pass from its point of attachment to sorewshaft m, directly over theforward end of the lighter-staff, and be secured to the main frame A, asindicated in the figure, or it may be fastened to the upper side of thelighter-staff, or at any other convenient point near the forward end ofsaid staff. The wheel B, a portion of which is made to revolve or workwithin a slot or recess cut in the main frame A, and is supported by abracket, 1), in a manner similar to hand'wheel O, as shown in Figs, 1and 2, is made to so work upon its screw-rod m that when revolved to theright hand it will draw down the screw-rod through the brackets p and p,and thus depress the forward end of the lighterstalf, and so consequently elevate the runner I). The movement or rotation of the wheel Bbeing reversed of course will permit the forward end of the lighterstaflto rise and so depress the runnerstone b, the weight of the runneracting upon the lighter-staff to cause its forward end to rise to thelimit permitted by the strap or chain n.

It will thus be perceived that when nails or other metallic or hardsubstances pass in between the millstones, which are liable to defaceorinj ure the dress of the stones and cause the runner to jump androtate unequally, the miller can, by a sudden pressure upon thelighter-staff, elevate the runner and so permit such substances to beinstantaneously forced out from between the stones, the quick withdrawalof such pressure allowing the staff to resume its strain upon the strapa and so return the runner to its previouslyworking condition before itshall have gained an undue increase of speed by reason of its withdrawalfrom working-contact with the grain being ground.

To opposite sides of the hoop, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,sockets q'are attached, fitted to receive and hold in place pins r r bymeans of set-screws q, the pins being permanently secured to the ends ofacrosstie, 1. Thus, when the cross-tie is made to occupy-a position overthe hoop, as indicated in Fig. 1,'it may readilybe adjusted to and heldin any desired height above the hoop by means of the set-screws q, theunscrewing of the set-screws alsoas readily permitting of its removalwhen desired. The pin 7, it will be seen, extends above the cross-tie*r, and terminatesin a broad flat top, r to which one flap, r, of abutt-hinge, D, is brazed, the opposite flap of the hinge being securedtoa lever, E, as shown in Fig. 1. This lever E articulates upon thehinge 'D directly over the cross-tie 1', and extends beyond theperiphery of the hoop and the outside .of the main frame A, as shown inlast-named figure. Central of its length the lever E is made with araised collar, 1"", which is perforated to receive and hold in place agrain-tube, 'r, of proper diam 'eter to receive in its upper end a glasstube,

1", which delivers the grain from the hopper F into the tube 0* andthence into the eye G of the millstones. As seen in the figures, thetube r passes vertically down through the center of the cross-tie r, theopening of the cross-tie for such purpose being large enough to permitof the up-anddown movement of said 'tube as it is caused to be elevatedand depressed by the articulations of the lever E upon hinge D.

As shown 1 opening in the cross-tie r, enters into and is inclosed forthe residue of its leng'th'by a revolving tube, r having a flange, as ats, resting and revolving on a perforated disk, 8, screwed to theunderside of the cross-tie. This tube 7" at its bottom terminates in andis surrounded by a dish-shaped seed-cup, H, through the center of whicha square hole is made to receive the square-formed lower end, i, ofa's'pindle-rod, t Projecting down from the bottom of the cup H and onboth sides of the square opening formed for the reception of the bottomof the'spindl'e-rod, lugs or couplings h are formedsay, three inchesapart, or having such sufiicient space between them as to'prop-erly'embrace or clasp the sides of the rynd e of the runner-stone b-at thesame time leaving a suflicient space between the top of the rynd and thebottom of th'e'seed-cup Hto permit of the varying set of the runnerwithout either bringing the top of the rynd in contact with the bottomof the cup or disengag ing the lugs 0r couplings h from their clasp uponthe sides of the rynd. The tuber at its bottom is perforated with slotsor openings r of greater length than width, and rising from the bottomof the tube. They are two in number and opposite each other.

n Figs. 1, 2,anu 5, the tube a, ata point where it passes through thecircular In Fig. 3 it will be observed that the tube 1 is not surroundedor inclosed by a revolving tube, 1', carrying at its bottom a revolvingseed cup or disk, H, but the seed-cup or disk revolves in and issupported by a cross-band placed. centrally and transversely across thestationary grain-guard H, and so leaving a communication between thetube 1" and the seed-cup all around the lower extremity of said tube,the said seed-cup or disk, as shown both in Figs. 3 and 5', beingrotated in the same manner by the rynd 0. It will thus be seen that inFig. 5 the flow of the grain from the hopper into the revolving disk orseed-cup. H is restricted to the exits r from the tube r whereas in Fig.3 the flow of theseed is at all points of the bottom of the tube T InFig. 5, as the lever E is elevated and depressed, carrying with it thetube r more or less-of the openingsr is exposed to the flow ot' thegrain from the bottom of the tube, the maximum flow of the grain beinglimited by the capacity of the openings r whereas in Fig. 3 the maximumflow of the grain into the cup or onto the disk H is only limited by-thedepression of the tube r into the cup or the approach of the bottom ofthe tube toward the face of the disk or cup.

In Figs. 1,2, '3',- and 5 I have shown a stationary grain-guard, H,suspended from the crosstie r, directly beneath the hopper and partlywithin the eye of the stones. The suspension of this guard from thecrossvtie admits of its ready removal and insertion in working position,according as the cross-tie 1 may be adjusted over the runner or removedfrom such position. The function performed by said guard is to break thecentrifugal force of the grain as it flies from the disk H and cause itto fall to the bed-stone without coming in contact with the sides of theeye Gr of the runner, andso be carried around with the runner, insteadof being passed between the stones. The suspendingarms i of thegrain-guard H extend up through the lever E, and thus aflord steadybearings for said lever. The outer end of the lever E, as at e, isrecessed to fit upon the upper end of a screw-rod, m, which is held inposition by a hand-wheel, U, the handwheel being sustained in positionin a manner similar to hand-wheel B, a bracket attached to the frame Asupporting the wheel at the same time that a portion of it engageswithacircular groove cut in the wheel, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, wherebythe wheel is held in place while it is being turned to the right or lefthand for the purpose of elev'atingor depressing the screw-rod m, whichin turn elevates the lever E or permits its depression, the lever in itsdescent being held on top of the rod m by its own weight. As the tube ris at its upper end attached to the lever E, it will thus top of thehopper a cross-support, f, is attached, perforated centrally over thehopper to permit of the passage through it of the spindle-shaft F. Thiscross-support f also sustains a forked bent lever, F, which articulatesupon a fulcrum, as at w, the outer end of the lever being attached to anindicator-rod, m. The indicator-rod 'm is made to pass freely throughthe outer end of the lever E at point :0, the perforation for suchpurpose being sufficiently large to allow of the elevation anddepression of the lever without affecting the movements of said rod mPassing through the lever.E the rod m enters the screw-rod m, which ismade tubular, and finally passes out of the lower end of said screw-rodand comes in contact with the lip 02 of the indexpointer P, said pointerbeing so pivoted at m as by its' gravity to always keep its lip 00 incontact with the lower end of the indicatorrod m To the cross-support fa curved slotted way, L, is secured by a set-screw t, as shown, and soas to admit of the adjustment of the way toward or from thespindle-shaft Headblocks Z Z are secured in the slotted portion of theway L by means of set-screws 15, thus rendering said blocks adjustable,though they may be made stationary, and be permanently attached to theway at any given desirable points. The bent lever F is forked at itsinner end, the tines v being of circular form, so as to embrace asliding collar, K, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, said collar workingfreely up and down upon a bell-shaft, K, the lower end of which isfitted to receive the upper end of the spindle-shaftfi, as indicated indotted lines, the

two shafts being held together by a set-Screw,

t, as indicated in the figure. A second sliding collar, K is alsoattached to the bellshaft K above the collar K, and between them isinterposed a coil-spring, Q, surrounding the bell-shaft, as shown. Atthe top of the bell-shaft, as at a, an arm, 00*, is pivoted, which, atits outer end, supports a bell, B, as

shown, said arm 00 being connected to the sliding collar K by aconnecting-arm, m and the bell B in its vertical movements articulatingupon the pivotpoints x, 00 and w of the bell arm 1' and connectingarm wThe sliding collar K may be set at any desirable point on the bell-shaftK by the set-screw t and so compress the spring Q to any desired degreeof tension to be overcome by the rotation of the bell. The bell B'- isprovided witha clapper of peculiar formation, its arm 0 being in theform of a flattened spring, and

pivoted between the projecting lugs 0 so as to allow the ball 0 undercertain circumstances, to oscillate from right to left, striking thesides of the bell, or from the left hand to the right hand, striking thesides of the bell, as the case may be, but under no circumstancespermittingthe ball 0 to fall down upon the bell at the point a of itsmouth nearest to the bellshaft K. From the ball 0 a tongue,

0 projects, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the curved way L being soset with reference to the lower end ofthe tongue as to allow the latterto pass over the former, but between the head-blocks l 1, when the millis in operation and the bell B is being revolved horizontally with thespindle-shaft i as its axis of motion. The bell-arm 90 may be slotted,as shown in Fig. 4, and a flat spring, s may be applied to resist thecentrifugal action of the bell-arm m and bell B, as represented in saidFig. 4, in lieu of the coilspring Q, as seen in Fig. 2.

With my alarm and indicating apparatus thus constructed it is evidentthat the movement of the runner-stone b will be communicated through therynd e, the cup H, the spindleshaft z' bell-shaft K, sliding collar K,connecting-arm w, and beli'arm 00 to the bell B, and that the speed ofthe runner will govern the centrifugal elevation of the bell from itsaxis of motion-to wit, the spindleshaft F. We will suppose, then, thatthe desired speed has been given to the runner to suit a given rate ofgrinding, according to the judgment of the attending miller, and thatsuch speed has caused the bell to assume the centrifugal elevationindicated in Figs. 1 and 2. This being done, the head-blocks l and l areslid to ward the tongue 0 so as to just at low the tongue to passbetween the blocks without touching them. During the act of thecentrifugal elevation of the bell to the position shown in the figures,it is evident that the movement of the sliding collar K will be impartedto the lever F, and thence to the indicator-rod m and thence to the lip.10 of the index-pointer P, thus causing the latter to indicate on ascale, z, the rate of speed of the runner and the proper grinding of thegrain, according to the judgment of the operator. Now, it is apparentthat so long as the speed of the runner remains the same no'alarm willbe given by the bell and no change will take place in the position'ofthe index-pointer P but if for any cause the speed of the runner shouldbe materially increased the tongue 0'' of the bell will be made tostrike the headblook Z at each revolution of the runner-stone, thusgiving the alarm to the miller that the speed of the mill has changed,and that the grinding is being improperly done, and such fact will alsobe communicated to him if he is in sight of the index-pointer P, but outof hearing of the alarm-bell, since the increased speed will cause thepointer P to rise on the scale 2. It, on the contrary, the speed of therunner should materially decrease, then the tongue 0 will be made tostrike the head- :block l, and so give an alarm, while at the same timethe index-pointer P will be made to run down or be depressed on thescale 2, and so register the degree of decrease of speed from thatoriginally fixed by the miller. Whichever of these two conditions mayhappen, it is also apparent that the original speed of the stones may bereattained bythe adjustment of the set of the runner through silent feedand it also often happens that without any change of the feed, it isdesirable to increase or diminish the speed of the runner. By myconstruction either of these conditions or results can be attainedindependently of or without affecting theother.

I would here state that for the purpose of imparting the motion of therunner to the hell, it is of importance to make the connection betweenthe lower end of the spindle-shaft i and the revolving disk H, asdescribed, since when it becomes necessary to remove the spindleshaftfrom its working position it can be readily withdrawn through the eye ofthe hopper, and also through the perforation in the cross-support f ontop of the .hopper, which act could not be done if a box were set uponthelower extremity of the spindle-shaft, into which a square projectionfrom the bottom of the disk or seed-cup should be made to fit. It shouldalso be stated that I contemplate attaching my alarm and indicatingapparatus,: or either of them, to the old fashioned damselshaft, runningfrom the eye of the millstones.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. The mode, substantially as described, of attaching the cross-tie rand lever E to the hoop d, for the purpose specified.

2. A revolving grain-cup or disk, H, having couplings or lugs h and anattached tube, 1*, in combination with the rynd e.

3. Applying to millstones a silent feed which is not effected by the actof setting the stones to grind either coarse or fine, substantially asdescribed.

4. Suspending the revolving cup or disk H from the cross-tie r by thetube r, or its equivalent, in the manner and for the purpose set forth.I

5. Suspending the stationary grain-guard H over the eye of the stones,and so that it may be removed therefrom with the cross-tie r, for thepurpose set forth.

6. The combination and arrangement of the lever E, cross-tie r, and hoopd, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination of the feed lever-fed m and rod m substantially asand for the purpose set forth. I

8. Operating an alarm, and also an indicating apparatus, by means of ashaft which receives motion directly from the central portion foifhemillstone runner, for the purpose speci- 9. The combination of the alarmapparatus,

and the indicating apparatus with the centrally-located shaft 2",substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

10. A lighter-staff, j, in combination with the screw-shaft m,substantially as described. 11. The head-blocks l 1 whether stationaryor adjustable, in combination with the way L, substantially asdescribed,for the ourpose set forth.

12. Applying to the bell-shaft K a bellarm, a, and bell B, which bytheir centrifugal action effect the alarm, in conjunction withhead-blocks Z and 1 ortheir.equivalents, substantially as described.

13. In a bell which constitutes a part of a centrifugal governor, sohanging the clapper on a pivoted spring-arm that it has unobstructedfreedom to move back and forth in the line of rotation of the bell,against the inner sides of the bell, but is prevented from coming incontact with the bell in a direction at right angles thereto,substantially as de- I scribed.

I hereby disclaim the alarm and indicating device, figured and describedin Ap'pletons Dictionary of Arts, volume 1, page 902, published in 1852,the same heing old and in comm o n use. 7

Witness my hand and seal, in the matter of my application for LettersPatent for improvements in grinding-mills, this 5th day of June, A. D.1862.

JAMES M. v CLARK.

Witnesses: ROIBT. W. FEN'wrcK,

EDWIN S. JACOB.

